Junior catcher Jaime West |
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Late Runs Push Massachusetts Past Charlotte in Conference Doubleheader
March 30, 2008
Amherst, Mass. - Despite trading early leads, a three-run sixth inning would put the Minutewomen back on top as the Charlotte 49ers (18-19; A-10: 3-3) fell to conference foe Massachusetts (18-11; A-10: 6-0) 7-1 and 5-2 in doubleheader action Sunday afternoon at UMass Softball Complex. Junior shortstop Cee Brooks, senior outfielder Emily Forbes and junior catcher Jaime West anchored the 49ers offensively on the day, each contributing one RBI apiece.
In the first game, freshman outfielder Whitney Williams scored the lone 49er run of the game, unearned, as Brooks walked with bases loaded in the top of the sixth. Junior second baseman Sarah Malene, West, Forbes and Williams each contributed one hit, while freshman pitcher Katy Hackett gave up seven runs on nine hits for her ninth loss of the season.
After a pre-game ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate new grandstand bleachers at the park, Massachusetts wasted no time getting on the board early, bringing in the games first three runs in the bottom of the first, which was followed by another three-run half-inning in the fourth and a solo run in the fifth. The 49ers attempted to cut the lead in the top of the sixth with bases loaded as Williams and Brooks walked and Malene and sophomore outfielder Serena Smith reached on infield throwing errors, but Charlotte would bring in just one run as Massachusetts pitcher Brandice Balschmiter collected the final outs of the inning on strikeouts. Williams tried to get something going in the top of the seventh with a two-out single, but the 49ers failed to rally.
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In the late game, sophomore utility Keri Palma led the team with two hits, while Malene, West and Forbes each tallied one apiece. Sophomore pitcher Emily Jeffery threw six innings, giving up five runs on eight hits while striking out five.
Charlotte took the early lead in the top of the second off back-to-back hits from Palma and Forbes, who drove in Palma off an RBI double to right center. Massachusetts bounced back, though, in the bottom of the inning with an RBI double before brining in another run in the third. The 49ers tied the game back up at two-all in the top of the fourth with a leadoff home run by West to left field, threatening the take the lead when Palma followed with a double to left center. The Minutewomen regained their lead for good in the bottom of the sixth with a single before adding two insurance runs to take the game.
With the wins, the Minutewomen, the 2007 regular season and tournament champions, have won eight in a row and extend their Atlantic 10 winning streak to 24 games.
Charlotte returns to action this week with a doubleheader at USC Upstate before continuing conference action Saturday with a home series against St. Bonaventure.
